Twenty-five regional coaches recently completed a ten-day high-level coaching programme at the West Indies High Performance Centre at the Cave Hill Campus of the University of the West Indies in Barbados.
Among the coaches who participated in the Level III programme for Guyana were former West Indies fast bowler Colin Stuart, former First-class players Rayon Griffith and Esaun Crandon along with former youth player Julian Moore.
The sessions were staged by the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) in collaboration with the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) and formed part of a crucial component to the coaches’ education programme regionally.
Upon their return, this publication spoke to two of the Guyanese participants, Stuart and Moore, who acknowledged that the programme will definitely enhance the standard of cricket in the Caribbean.
“I personally feel that the course is a worthwhile one, since it provided some new concepts which can be used to carefully identify the natural abilities of players upon which addition and suitable information may be filtered to the players to ensure their growth.”
“In short, the course placed emphasis on individuality, the incorporation of technical and tactical approaches to coaching, the relevance of psychology in cricket and the importance of building structural relations among team members so as to ensure productivity,” said Stuart, 42, a former West Indies cricketer who played six Tests and five ODIs.
He added, “We were also exposed to effectively assessing suspect bowling actions, discussing possible alternatives or solutions and exploring a variety of drills suited for remediation of bowlers.”
Moore believes that the programme is a step in the right direction, adding that he was extremely pleased to be part of it.
“I think the course was good, and I must compliment the WICB for taking the initiative to invest in our coaches in the West Indies. There has never been a Level III in the West Indies before so I am elated to be a part of it.
“In 2016 we have won three World tournaments, and I think this investment in coaches and coaching could not have come at a better time as we look to sustain and promote the development of cricket in the Caribbean,” Moore pointed out.
The full list of coaches who participated reads: Samantha Lynch, Colin Stuart, Rayon Griffith, Esaun Crandon, Julian Moore, Glen Dwarika, John Pollard, Tony Gray, Rydell Ramsarran, Robert Samuels, Cleon Smith, Junior Bennett, Gibbs Williams, Irvin Warrican, Fernix Thomas, Clifford Thomas, Steve Liburd, Pernel Whatley, Courtney Walsh, Winston Benjamin, Philip Service, Dexter Toppin, Ezra Moseley, Rohan Nurse and Henderson Bryan.
(Taken from windiescricket.com)